ported vs sealed speaker design

[canadian*eh]

ok question ?ported vs sealed speaker design.What is the pro's and con's to each them.and what do you bass player's perfer.i play a 5 string bass and am looking at getting a 4\10 cab.....and would like to know what would be the best design...a ported or sealed ..........hope you can help.Thankx

 

[Roundwound]

My vote is to go ported since you'll be using a 5-string. Ports allow the "tuning" of a cabinet to go lower, thus allowing the frequencies of a low b to breathe "out" of a cab. A sealed box may sound too boomy with a low b, and for other reasons may wear out your drivers faster if you play at higher volumes.

TB Discussion of front vs. rear-ported cabs:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215873&highlight=ported+sealed

TB Discussion of sealed vs. vented cabs:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217326&highlight=ported+sealed

 

[Alex]

My vote is to go ported since you'll be using a 5-string. Ports allow the "tuning" of a cabinet to go lower, thus allowing the frequencies of a low b to breathe "out" of a cab. A sealed box may sound too boomy with a low b, and for other reasons may wear out your drivers faster if you play at higher volumes.

I've heard that sealed cabs have a tighter low end, even though I have no experience with A/Bing either, and I really don't know what sealed or ported means